Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Surf Forecast by Ben Matson (issued Friday 14th November)

Best Days: Mon/Tues/Wed: small+ fun south swell with generally good winds in the morning. 

This weekend (Nov 13-14)

*today's forecast notes are very short as Craig is away, and I'm somewhat time poor*

Just a small mix of swells this weekend with flukey winds as tonight’s southerly change eases through Saturday before tending N’ly early Sunday, then freshening NW tending W’ly ahead of another gusty S’ly change due into the South Coast after lunch and Sydney around dinner time.

Today’s freshening NE winds will generate a small NE windswell for Saturday (nothing special, just a foot or two at exposed beaches) and there’ll be a small level of low quality southerly windswell in the mix too. 

However, of more interest is a passing frontal progression in the lower Tasman Sea today that will generate a small, mid-period south swell for Sunday. This should produce a window of clean waves at exposed south facing beaches from the morning through early afternoon, once winds swing to the NW. Size won’t be great - just an occasional 2ft set at south facing beaches, with a few bigger 3ft bombs in the Hunter - but it’s probably the best option this weekend.

Next week (Nov 15 onwards)

Our south swell window will remain active for a few days into the next week, so the period between Monday and Wednesday looks like it’ll pulse with decent waves at south facing beaches, reaching somewhere near 3ft on Monday and Tuesday, and possibly 3-4ft on Wednesday. Winds look like they’ll be generally light and variable with sea breezes during this period too, so aim for an early paddle for the best waves.

Freshening NE winds are expected Wednesday afternoon thru’ Thursday, which should contribute some local NE windswell to the coast ahead another strong frontal passage overnight Thursday and into Friday, renewing strong swell activity from the south.